AbstractsEducation Research & Administration

[Truncated abstract] In the latter half of the 20th century, registered nurse education moved to university degree level. At the same time, there has been a reduction in access for students to clinical experience. In numerous studies, nursing graduates have reported that they do not feel prepared for practice. Concurrently, global nursing shortages have resulted in the expectation that the nursing graduate will be competent and ready to practice in often complex clinical environments, sometimes described as ‘hitting the ground running’. With this disparity between perceived abilities and expectations, the importance of maximising every learning opportunity is paramount. In 2007, the Western Australian Office of the Chief Nurse developed a pathway for undergraduate registered nursing (RN) students to become enrolled nurses at the midway point of their degree to enable them to work, and therefore gain experience in the clinical practice setting during their education. This pathway was called the Enrolled Nursing Registration Pathway Program (ENRPP). There is little published research on the impact of undergraduate registered nursing students working as enrolled nurses (EN) and their readiness to practice within the clinical environment. For the RN students who had completed the ENRPP, this research investigated the effect of the ENRPP on their perception of their clinical abilities, and explored their ability to link theory to practice in the clinical environment. The research design for this study was a quasi-experimental, prospective observational cohort study. Participants were asked to complete a modified Five Dimension of Nursing Scale questionnaire consisting of 46 questions, two of which were open-ended. The modified Five Dimension of Nursing Scale includes the development of interpersonal relationships and communication; planning and evaluating care; teaching and collaborating with clients; and identifying and undertaking professional development opportunities and clinical care activities. A purposive convenience sample of second and third year enrolled nursing students were invited to participate in the study. Participants included 39 second year nursing students not enrolled in the ENRPP in 2011 (Group 1), 45 second year nursing students enrolled in the ENRPP in 2011 (Group 2) and, 28 third year nursing students who completed the ENRPP course in 2010 (Group 3) are now working as ENs. A total of 112 nursing students were recruited to participate in this study... [Truncated abstract] In the latter half of the 20th century, registered nurse education moved to university degree level. At the same time, there has been a reduction in access for students to clinical experience. In numerous studies, nursing graduates have reported that they do not feel prepared for practice. Concurrently, global nursing shortages have resulted in the expectation that the nursing graduate will be competent and ready to practice in often complex clinical environments, sometimes described as ‘hitting the ground running’. With…